Gezicht op de hoofdingang van het Paleis van Justitie in Brussel, België before 1894

Editor: Here we have an engraving, a print of the Palace of Justice in Brussels, made before 1894. The architectural detail is quite striking. What stands out to you in this image? Curator: What interests me immediately is the process by which this image was made. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed engraving. Each line meticulously etched, likely from a photograph, turning mechanical reproduction into a skilled craft. How does the reproduction affect our understanding of the Palace itself, you think? Editor: That’s a great question! I guess I hadn’t considered the reproduction itself as an act of interpretation. It does seem to flatten the texture somehow, making it more…monumental, almost? Curator: Precisely! And think about the social context. Prints like these circulated widely, contributing to the Palace's image and projecting power and permanence. Who would have purchased and viewed these prints, and what impact did that have on the building’s reputation? Editor: So it's not just about the building itself, but how the image of the building was manufactured and consumed? Curator: Exactly. It encourages us to question the narratives around this Neoclassical building and focus instead on the tangible realities of its production and distribution. It transforms architecture into something bought, sold, and circulated, impacting society as a result. What have you gotten from considering this piece from a materialist angle? Editor: It gives the artwork a more complex reading, beyond just admiring it aesthetically. I see all the labor and choices involved in making it, and also how it existed in society as an object. Thanks! Curator: Likewise. Shifting our perspective to the materials and methods challenges assumptions and enriches our dialogue with art.